Juan Ponce de Leon, by the Devil led, <br />With years weighed down and crammed with antique lore, <br />Seeing age branch his stubby locks still more, <br />The far seas scoured to find Health's Fountain-head. <br /> <br />Haunted by fruitless dream his vessels sped <br />Three years the glaucous solitudes to explore, <br />Until, heart-sickening the Bermudan shore, <br />Beneath Floridian skies enchantments spread. <br /> <br />Then the Conquistador his madness blessed, <br />And with enfeebled hand his pennon pressed <br />In that bright earth which opened for his tomb. <br /> <br />Old man, most happy thou: thy fortune sooth <br />Is deathlike, but thy dream bears beauty's bloom, <br />For Fame has given thee immortal youth.<br /><br />Jose Maria de Heredia<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/youth-53/
